Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkAbout Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park in central Washington State protects extensive deposits of petrified wood and plant fossils. The name derives from ginkgo leaf fossils found among the petrified material preserved at the site.
Within the park visitors can view in-place silicified tree trunks and other fossilized plant remains, follow interpretive trails, and visit an on-site interpretive center with exhibits about the park’s geology and paleoenvironment. Trails and signs provide context about the processes that produced the petrified wood.
The fossil deposits formed in the Miocene epoch and were preserved by rapid burial and mineralization, producing large areas of silicified wood. The state park was established to conserve these scientifically important deposits and to provide public interpretation.
The park lies near the small community of Vantage on the Columbia River in central Washington State, east of the Cascade Range.
- Miocene fossils: The site preserves silicified wood and plant fossils dating to the Miocene epoch, which gave the park its name.
- Trail access: Short, accessible trails provide close views of fossilized logs and outcrops with interpretive signage explaining the geology.
What to See#
- Fossil beds: Areas of exposed petrified wood and fossil beds where silicified tree trunks and plant remains are visible in situ across the park’s trails.
- Interpretive center and trails: An interpretive center and short walking trails that explain the geology and paleobotany of the site and display fossil specimens.
Best Time to Visit Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Late spring through early autumn offers the best weather for trails and viewing; summers are hot but dry.
Weather & Climate near Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 32°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 3° | -4° | 21 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -3° - 7° | -1° | 16 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 1° - 13° | 4° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 18° | 11° | 10 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 23° | 15° | 11 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 12° - 27° | 20° | 10 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 15° - 32° | 23° | 5 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 32° | 23° | 9 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 26° | 18° | 8 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 19° | 11° | 10 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 0° - 9° | 2° | 25 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -4° - 4° | -3° | 30 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
The park is near Vantage, Washington, just off I‑90-about 2.5-3 hours east of Seattle. Take the Vantage exit (Exit 143), follow local roads to the park entrance and parking area on the north side of the Columbia River.
Tips for Visiting Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
- Drive the short approach road slowly-signs are minimal and the petrified logs are fragile; avoid climbing on specimens posted with preservation signs.
- Combine a stop at the Ginkgo visitor area with a drive across the Columbia River and a coffee in nearby Vantage.
- Bring a magnifying lens or camera with macro capability-concretions and mineral details in the petrified wood are surprisingly intricate.